Wild Have Chance to Bounce Back Against Division Rivals

The Minnesota Wild suffered a little bit of a disheartening defeat against the New Jersey Devils, but now get the chance to reverse it against a massively underperforming Winnipeg Jets team Thursday.

Somehow, the Wild have already faced this Jets team three times this season and in the middle of January, will play their final game of the season against the cross-border rivals. In those three matchups, the Wild have earned five out of the available six points -- the only registered loss was an overtime defeat back in October. But, a massive 3-0 shutout win in November and then the 4-3 overtime win when Mats Zuccarello scored a last-minute equalizer and Matt Boldy finished them off in the first minute of the extra period; those kind of wash out that one little loss away.

So, with somewhat perfect timing, the Wild can get right back in the race for second in the Central facing this Jets team.

That's Wild

• Last season the physicality wasn't that effective, but Yakov Trenin and Marcus Foligno have been laying out some bodies and really opening up some space for a high-octane offense this season. [Hockey Wilderness]
• The Wild need a top-six center very badly after needing to trade away Marco Rossi in the Quinn Hughes deal. But, as GM Bill Guerin looks elsewhere, could they already have the exact player they need on the team? [Hockey Wilderness]
• A fun little look at some pregame traditions for the Wild -- generally asking the question why so many NHLers take naps. [StarTribune]

Off the trail...

• What would a Team Russia look at the Olympics this year? We certainly know one Wild player who would be on it. [ESPN]
• Brady Tkachuk had one heck of a game as the Senators handed a beatdown to the Rangers. [NHL.com]
• The latest trade board from Nick Kypreos certainly has a decent amount of star power. [Sportsnet]